Hypothesis Video-assisted thyroid lobectomy improves the cosmetic outcome of the
cutaneous scar and reduces postoperative pain. Participants Patients admitted to the
Division of Endocrine Surgery of the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy,
between March 1999 and December 2000 who were candidates for thyroid lobectomy
because of a single, small (≤ 3 cm) thyroid nodule were considered eligible. Of the 62
patients who were randomized, 31 underwent conventional thyroid lobectomy (COS group) …